The gardens were established in 1978 by John R. Anderson and landscape architect Hoichi Kurisu on the site of Anderson's home.
The Gardens include what is claimed to be the largest public hosta garden in the United States (13,000 plants representing over 700 varieties), as well as Annual and Perennial Gardens, several Children's gardens, an English Knot garden and Formal English Garden, Herb Garden, Cactus Garden, Iowa State and All American Test Gardens, Japanese garden designed by Hoichi Kurisu, and Rose Gardens.